Tokyo - Japan aims to gather 4 billion dollars in assistance over a two-year period from member states at an international donor conference on Pakistan scheduled for Friday, while planning to make significant commitment, Foreign Ministry officials said Tuesday. The host of the one-day conference hopes that 30 participating nations and international groups would donate 4 billion dollars over two years.

Tokyo - Japan signed an agreement Tuesday to offer Jordan assistance in developing nuclear power plants, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said. The Japanese government agreed to help the Middle Eastern nation introduce nuclear power generation and guarantee non-proliferation of nuclear technology, the ministry said.

With Japan's support, Jordan is aiming to become self-sufficient in generating energy by 2030 and plans to begin operating a nuclear plant by 2017.

Tokyo - Tokyo's markets lost ground Tuesday as investor concerns grew about the US financial sector with bank results to be released this week. The benchmark Nikkei 225 Stock Average fell 113.35 points, or 1.27 per cent, to 8,811.08.

The broader Topix index of all first-section issues was also down 10.29 points, or 1.21 per cent, at 838.68.

Japanese investors sold shares after they became concerned about Goldman Sachs Financial Group moving to raise 5 billion dollars of additional capital.

Tokyo - Japanese whaling ships returned Monday after a so-called scientific research mission in the Antarctic Ocean with only 70 to 80 per cent of its targeted catch due to obstruction from an anti-whaling group, the Fisheries Agency said. Three vessels brought back 679 minke whales and one fin whale to the western Japanese port of Shimonoseki, compared to the planned catch of 815 to 985 animals, the agency said.

Tokyo - Japan's key Nikkei 225 Stock Average ended morning trading lower Monday with investors in a wait-and-see mood ahead of US corporate earnings reports to be announced this week. The Nikkei index dipped 6.49 points, or 0.07 per cent, to 8,957.62 after briefly rising above the 9,000-points level during the morning session.

But the broader Topix index of all first-section issues was up 3.64 points, or 0.43 per cent, at 849.61.

Amman - Jordan's King Abdullah II left for Japan on Sunday for a working visit that was due to last for several days, the royal court announced. The monarch would meet with Japanese Emperor Akihito and have talks with Prime Minister Taro Aso on the latest developments in the Middle East and efforts to re-launch peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

The discussions were also expected to focus on means of boosting bilateral economic and trade ties. Abdullah was also scheduled to meet in Tokyo with prominent politicians, parliamentarians and private sector leaders.